KBRN, West Manggarai: Labuan Bajo is once again set to become a vibrant hub for culture, tourism, and creativity through the annual Komodo Waterfront Festival 2025.

The event is scheduled to take place from November 15 to 22 at the Meruorah Komodo Labuan Bajo Hotel and the promenade area at Taman Plaza Marina, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Now in its fourth year, the festival returns with a larger scale and deeper cultural engagement. Carrying the theme “Bajo Heritage: Thread, Sense & Rhythm,” the event is more than a tourist attraction. It’s a living celebration of the rich traditions of Labuan Bajo and Flores.

“This theme reflects how we preserve tradition while keeping it alive through collaboration across art, cuisine, and music,” said Evan, Chairman of the 2025 Komodo Waterfront Festival, in a statement on Thursday, October 23.

Symbolically, Benang (thread) represents Flores’ meaningful textile and weaving traditions. Rasa (sense/flavor) highlights the diversity of ancestral culinary heritage, while Ritme (rhythm) showcases traditional music and dance that embody the spirit of the Bajo people.

The festival will open on Saturday, November 15, with a Cultural Carnival, Songke Cloth Display, and the Komodo Idol 3 Semi-Finals, followed by an Art Exhibition in the Meruorah Hotel lobby.

On Sunday, November 16, guest chef Christian will present Manggarai Gastronomy, featuring local dishes such as moringa noodles and regional specialties.

From November 17 to 18, visitors can enjoy the Art & Toto Kopi Exhibition, a Mixology Workshop, and auditions led by World Champion Bartender Mr. Eka Jegger and Doctor Bar Mr. Ngurah Ngudayana.

The grand finale on Saturday, November 22, will feature the Komodo Idol 3 Final, a Broadway-style performance of The Legend of the Komodo Princess, and the Bajo Heritage Fashion Show.

Beyond entertainment, the festival carries a broader mission to strengthen national unity and stimulate the local economy. Through the MSME Bazaar, hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises will showcase culinary products, woven crafts, and other creative goods.

The Komodo Idol segment also serves as a talent search, nurturing creativity among local children and youth, particularly in vocal arts.

“This is not just entertainment. It’s a platform to build confidence and pride among Flores’ younger generation in their cultural identity,” Evan added.

Open to the general public, the festival welcomes both domestic and international visitors. Its target audience includes local communities, tourists seeking authentic experiences, and creative economy enthusiasts drawn to crafts, cuisine, and traditional performing arts from NTT.

Through this festival, Labuan Bajo reaffirms its role not only as a world-class tourist destination but also as a dynamic cultural meeting point.

From the stage to the fabric, the flavors to the rhythms, every element of the festival reflects the enduring spirit of the Flores people in preserving their ancestral heritage while embracing the future of sustainable tourism. (Misni Parjiati/Ed. Lasti Martina)